Topic: Renewables

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[ Episode #47 // Power Transition ]

Aug 9 2012

Mini Episode

After years of stagnant growth in conventional oil extraction rates, ignorance of Hubbert's Curve has peaked. Now that the mainstream can't dismiss the issue, public conversations proclaim an exuberant belief in marginal reserves as our savior. Claims of American energy independence have fueled a dialogue that threatens to drive the US economy towards a fiscal and energy cliff. Can we look toward renewables to meet our energy needs for the future? Is it possible to start telling a new story about our energy future?

In Extraenvironmentalist #47 we discuss the global energy picture with Chris Nelder as he describes the energy stories we tell ourselves and explains exactly how many natural gas wells it will take for the United States to gain energy independence. We ask Chris about the complexity of our international energy markets and why we shouldn't give up on renewable energy even if it doesn't fit the power grid of today. Then, we speak with Gregor MacDonald about the recent blackout in India that cut electricity to 10% of Earth's population. Gregor tells us about the process of normal accidents and why the risk we've offloaded might be trickling back into our energy infrastructure. Last of all, we speculate about the future of capitalism as growth ends. Will we look back on these years of corporate rule as the golden age before serfdom?


// Music (in order of appearance)
Deerhoof - The Trouble With Candyhands via Tiny Mixtapes
 Fleetwood Mac - That's All For Everyone (Tame Impala Cover) via Stereogum
 F*ck you Pepco via Youtube
Marlena Shaw - California Soul (Diplo Remix) via Soundcloud
Nico - These Days (Shinichi Osawa Edit) via Daily Beatz
Elton John - Good Morning to the Night (PNAU Remix) via Tracasseur

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[1st Break] - 36m
America's Infrastructure is Failing
Heat Adds Misery to Atlantic Power Outage
Congress Ignores Nations Infrastructure

[End]
Gail Tverberg on Peak Oil at the Montreal Degrowth Conference

// Production Credits
Josh B.
Kevin M. via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

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[ Episode #42 // Green Illusions ]

Jun 5 2012

Mini Episode

We've imagined for several decades that in an ideal energy future we'll have solar panels on every building and wind turbines accompanying the corn on rural farmland. Yet, is our energy context ready for photovoltaic modules and wind generated electricity? Who doesn't love the idea of harvesting solar energy that would just hit the planet whether we use it or not? Will renewable energy technologies replace our oil infrastructure or will environmentalists need to tackle many other issues before we should even start talking about renewable energy?

In Extraenvironmentalist #42 we hear from Ozzie Zehner about his new book Green Illusions which discusses the ecological impacts of manufacturing a renewable energy future. Ozzie tells us about his research into the stories of renewable energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics and wind turbines. Are solar panels on a rapidly decreasing cost curve? Do wind turbines reduce carbon emissions of electricity generation? We also ask Ozzie what environmentalists should advocate for if they aren't pushing for renewable energy.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Princeton - Grand Rapids (RAC Remix)  via RAC Soundcloud Page
 Elliot Yamin - Let's Get to What's Real via ThatEricAlper Soundcloud Page
 Joe Bataan - Es Tu Costa (It's Your Thing) via Funky16Corners
 Bodies of Water - Like a Stranger via Icarus & Occident
Dolly Parton - House of The Rising Sun (Apollo Zero's Dolly House of Remix) via Apollo Zero

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[1st Break] - 34m
Obama on Renewable Energy
Rep. Inslee floor statement on American optimism and renewable energy jobs
Mark Jacobson - Renewable Energy is Now
Alan Grais on Renewable Energy from the Montreal Degrowth Conference on an upcoming Vimeo video
Windfall Trailer
T. Boone Pickens
Obama on Winning the Future - Renewable Energy

[2nd Break] - 1h05m
Juliet Schor on working less from the Montreal Degrowth Conference

[End]
Jiddu Krishnamurti on Technology

//Production Credits
Production Assistance  | Kevin at the Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

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[ Episode #31 // Simplifying Complexity ]

Dec 15 2011

Mini Episode

Is our species capable of looking ahead to prepare for the potentially disastrous results of larger trends? While daily existence has always presented challenges, modern civilization uses advanced technologies to address problems. Yet, is our ability to problem solve the very problem itself? What if the technology we're developing is increasing our reliance on a strategy yielding rapidly diminishing returns? Though a general understanding of complexity eludes us, are there ways of feeling it in our day-to-day life?

In Extraenvironmentalist #31 we speak with Dr. Joseph Tainter about collapse, complexity and energy. Dr. Tainter recently co-authored Drilling Down which explains why the BP Gulf Oil spill occurred in terms of the complexity that supports supports our society.  We discuss concepts of complexity, energy and a meaningful definition of sustainability. In our conversation, Dr. Tainter covers the dynamics of the Roman Empire as it moved further down the road of collapse; debasing its currency and unraveling due the expenses of foreign wars. Seth and I ask if energy alternatives exist that can support civilization, such as solar photovoltaics or wind power. If they can't, are we trapped in a complexity spiral with no way out?


 

 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Sinnitus Tempo - C'est La Vie via Elbo.ws
Penguin Prison - Multimillionaire (Shook Remix)  via Et Musique Pour Tous
Miike Snow - Devil's Work via Pretty Much Amazing
DJ Shadow - Scale It Back ft. Little Dragon (Robotaki Remix) via The Music Ninja
Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek (ENiGMA Remix)  via The Music Ninja

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
Shopping Seizes Minds, Leaves No Room for News
Bill Rees - How to Convince People to Face Reality
Richard Heinberg on Transition
Thomas Homer-Dixon on Civilization Far From Equalibrium

// Additional Links
Jamie of Steppin' Off the Edge interviews KMO and Justin about collapse

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[ Episode #16 // Powering the Dream ]

Jun 11 2011

Mini Episode

Energy drives our civilization: onward towards the limits of human imagination, ever closer to the grave consequences of oil depletion. Technology is often viewed as a mythical force, seemingly bestowing its gifts on an often misguided species in a neutral manner; though what if the best technologies don't always win? Are all the energy solutions we're banking on to continue a capitalist consumer lifestyle just an innovation away from mass deployment?  Could social choices of technologies be far from rational? What if the most important electric loads were the ones invented by utility companies? Why does America consume so much energy and believe so heavily in the transcendent role of technology?

In Extraenvironmentalist #16 we speak with Alexis Madrigal about his book, Powering the Dream: The History and Promise of Green Technology which discusses the precarious path our species has followed towards a more perfect power. Alexis is a senior editor at The Atlantic where he writes about technology and media while tweeting prolifically from @alexismadrigal. Alexis explains how many of the green technologies, now touted as shiny new innovations, have existed for the greater part of the last century and have been stifled through a combination of poor policies and irrational developments. We wonder about the role of innovation in the future, do we have all the technology we really need or are we on the verge of a renewable energy breakthrough that can revolutionize our world?

At the end of this episode, Dennis McKenna joins us once again (at the 1h37m mark) for an apology to Matthew Watkins who was incorrectly lambasted in the previous episode for his critiques to the Timewave theory.

 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Metric - Twilight Galaxy (Gladkill Remix) via Ohh So Famous
Milagres - Glowing Mouth viaThe Music Ninja
The Dictator's Speech with Inception's music by Hans Zimmer via Youtube
Foster the People - Houdini (Valida's Step Out Mix) via Earplugs Not Included
Blue Sky Black Death - Sleeping Children Are Still Flying viaPotholes In My Blog
Purity Ring - Lofticries via Gorilla vs. Bear

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